byLarry EderTomoshova runs 3:59.42 and her teammate runs 4:02.24! Between the Russians, Maryam Jamal and Shannon Rowbury, we have a real dogfight for the Beijing 1,500 meters!
Last day: Tomashova sub 4 minutes, Chicherova and Slesarenko 203, Sadova qualified
KAZAN (RUS, July 20): Expected high jump battle dominated the last day of Russian National Championships. Anna Chicherova beat on count-back Olympic winner Yelena Slesarenko as both jumped 203, third qualified for Olympics was young Svetlana Shkolina (198). Tatyana Kivimiagi (also 198) lost the Olympic place on count-back. Viktoriya Klyugina, Irina Gordeyeva and Yekaterina Savchenko followed with 195.
Another open event was Long jump but here with world champion Tatyana Lebedeva receiving the place already the battle for two spots was won by Athens medalist Tatyana Kotova (686) and Oksana Udmurtova (673) who was unlucky fourth in triple jump. Fourth Anna Nazarova (669) had a long foul (measured at 683) and protested. World leader and European champion Lyudmila Kolchanova was out of contention with 650 as fifth.
In triple jump great marks for top three as Olympic medalist Danil Burkenya got 17.48, Aleksandr Petrenko 17.43 and Igor Spasovchodskiy 17.36 building a strong trio.
Bogdan Pishchalnikov won the discus title and as only one achieved 60+ with 64.18. His sister and European champion Darya won the silver 63.64 as she was beaten by reigning Olympic champion Natalya Sadova who just returned from doping ban (65.46) and this was young Svetlana Saykina 61.03.
Running highlight was 2005 world champion Tatyana Tomashova who dominated the 1500 m and qualified with second best mark of the year 3:59.42 along with World indoor silver medalist Yulia Fomenko (4:00.57). As Yelena Soboleva already got the place for Beijing third Anna Alminova will be a reserve despite high quality PB 4:02.02. Fourth Natalya Yevdokimova achieved 4:04.19.
Paris 2003 200 m world champion Anastasiya Kapachinskaya won the 200 m in 22.77 and qualified so for second event after 400 m. The same was not achieved by 400 m winner Yulia Gushchina who was fourth (23.05). Ahead of her European junior champion from last year at 100 m Hurdles Aleksandra Fedoriva (22.87) and Yulia Chermonshanskaya 22.95. Old-timer Irina Privalova was excellent 7th with respectable 23.47 for 40 years of age. Roman Smirnov won the men´s 200 m in 20.78 and dipped as only one sub 21 seconds. 38 years old Vyacheslav Shabunin qualified for olympics with 3:40.96 1500 m win.
Debate about third high jumper
KAZAN (RUS): The tie for second place at 230 and the same result for fourth European Champion Andrey Silnov opened the debate about third spot in Russian team in men´s high jump. Coaches committee could not agree and the council of All-Russian Federation will decide on Monday. World indoor 2006 medalist Andrey Tereshin who tied for second with Vyacheslav Voronin is questionable because he competed this winter in Valencia not totally healthy and did not inform the leaders of the team. On the other side Silnov is strongly supported for his abilities to jump well at big meetings. Rybakov and Voronin are the two undoubted selections.
Betters clocks great 44.75 at 400 m, world leading 4×100 m for USA 38.39
TOLUCA (MEX, Jul 19): Great sprints at favorable altitude of mexican Toluca during NACAC U23 Championships. NCAA third placer LeJerald Batters from Baylor improved to 44.75 to win the 400 m. USA with Hall, Teddy Williams, Sykes and Samuels clocked high quality 38.39 world leading at 4×100 m. US women achieved 43.64 ahead of Jamaica 43.73. Jamaican Bobby-Gaye Wilkins won the 400 m in 51.34. Solid hurdles wins for US with 12.82 (-0.6) by Tiffany Ofili and 13.32 (-1.0) for Jason Richardson.
Kaki in B-race
BARCELONA (ESP): World indoor champion Abubaker Kaki of Sudan was competing in Barcelona on Saturday, he won the B-race with 1:44.93. A statement produced by the meet organizers said: “He’s decicded to run in the B race after a heavy load of races inn recent weeks. The Sudanese runner , who ended up winning the world junior championships in Bydgoszcz, ran three races in five days there and preferred not to embark on anything dangerous ahead of the his immediate participation in the Olympic Games.” Kaki was ‘paced’ through the first half of the race by Abdalla Abdelgader before taking over the lead almost immediately after the bell.
Used with permission of Alfons Juck, publisher of EME News.
